Hosts Dr.Liudvika Leisyte, Vice-chair of the FFNT Board, and Dr. Laura Franco Garcia warmly welcomed the women to the organization. The event was a relaxed exchange of information and insights between the ten women who hailed from ten different countries: Lithuania, Ukraine, Bolivia, Mexico, Greece, Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia and the U.S.
Mathematicians, chemists, geo-engineers, social scientists and physicists met for the first time and shared their experience of ‘Cycling through the Dutch Jungle’, the luncheon’s theme, and an appropriate metaphor for how a newcomer can learn to maneuver her way around Dutch society.
Some of the women initially had difficulty finding suitable housing, and others faced the challenge of learning a new language. Most found the weather, especially the last year’s long winter, their least favorite along with the untimely connections to international airports. But everyone expressed great appreciation for the help they received from their department secretaries in handling any bureaucratic paperwork. By far, all the women academics were enthusiastic about their new research positions, opportunities, and support.
The next event is a lunch lecture with the topic ‘Necessary hints to those who would be a scientist’ that will focus on grant writing.
For more information about this event and becoming a FFNT member, visit the FFNT website www.utwente.nl/ffnt.
